It was his duty to stand sentry from dark until midnight.  As he walked his beat, listening for the signal of the negro, whom he every moment expected with another supply of provisions, and thinking over the scenes through which he had passed since he had entered the service, he heard a slight rustling in the bushes back of the cabin, and saw one of the deserters disappear among the trees.  What could the man mean by moving about the island at that time of night?  There must be something wrong, for his stealthy movements proved that he did not wish to be observed.  While Frank was pondering upon the subject, and debating the propriety of informing the major of the fact, the lieutenant sauntered leisurely up to the place where he was standing, and, stretching his arms, languidly inquired: 

“Don’t you think it is very sultry this evening?  It is impossible for me to sleep.”

This was something unusual for the lieutenant, who, although he had often conversed very freely with the major, had never before spoken to Frank since the night of his capture.  The latter knew that the rebel had some object in view, and at once determined to act as though he suspected nothing, and to await the issue of affairs.

“Yes, it is very warm,” he replied, fanning himself with his cap.  “I shall be glad when I get North again.”

“No doubt of it,” answered the rebel, carelessly.  “I believe I’ll go down to the spring and get a cup of water, if you have no objections.”

As soon as he had disappeared, Frank threw himself on his hands and knees, and crawling to the edge of the bank, looked over, and saw the lieutenant and the deserter, whom he had seen stealing from the cabin, engaged in conversation.

“They will be here to-morrow night, then, without fail?” he heard the lieutenant ask.

“Yes, so the negro says,” replied the deserter.

“Twelve of them, did you say?  That will make sixteen, including the negro.  There will be none too many of us, for these Yankees will fight like perfect demons.  If we fail, our lives will not be worth five minutes’ purchase.”

“Do not have any fears,” replied the other.  “I have made ’assurance doubly sure,’ and failure is impossible.”

“Well, go back to the cabin now,” said the lieutenant, “for you might be missed.”

On hearing this, Frank hastily retreated, and regained his post.  Presently the lieutenant returned, and, after giving Frank a drink of water from his cup, sought his blanket.

“A pretty piece of business, indeed,” thought Frank, as he commenced walking his beat again.  “It is fortunate I discovered it.  I’ll keep a lookout for the negro, and learn all I can from him.”

He was not obliged to wait long, for presently a low whistle, that sounded from the opposite side of the bayou, told that the negro was in waiting.  Frank answered the signal, when a light canoe shot out from the shore and approached the island.  In a few moments the negro walked up the bank, and, depositing a large bag of provisions in the cabin, turned to go back, followed by Frank, who commenced conversation by observing, “A warm evening, uncle;” but, the moment they were out of sight of the cabin, he inquired, in a low voice: